Milk Money: Heifer International

Longtime readers of this blog (Hi, you two!) will remember that I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Malawi in 2015 with Heifer International and ONE. I saw first-hand how those two organizations are changing lives and making the world a better place for so many, and for that reason, I’m 100% Ride or Die for them. If Heifer has a new cow, I want a picture. If they plant a tree, I want to know where. And if they’re doing something to help children in need, I want to spread the word far and wide so more people can help children, too. I’d probably get a “Heifer” tattoo on my back if I didn’t think it’d be misconstrued at the public pool.

But because I’m such an advocate of Heifer, today I want to share with you their new initiative, The Heifer School Milk Feeding Program. Launched in July of 2017, this feeding program was created to encourage a new generation of milk-drinkers and increase the well-being and nutrition of eager students in Africa. I mean, just look at this sweetie.

This milk-in-schools idea is all part of a bigger plan, however. Heifer started the Heifer Tanzania program in 2008 to help local dairy farmers increase milk production, and via the supply for kids, they’ve now created a viable and diverse market for these farmers: the school milk program. Farmers, government agencies, and school districts are working together for the good of the entire community. Think of it as “cow to the classroom,” only the cow isn’t actually coming into the classroom because that would be awkward during circle time. “Moooo-ve it, kid. I need to learn my colors.”

The launch of the Heifer School Milk Feeding Program in July 2017 is just in its first phase, with 1,742 students in the Njombe region now receiving fresh 200ml packets of pasteurized milk every day during the school year. For kids who suffer from a lack of nutrition, this is huge. The daily milk helps make them healthy, happy, and able to focus on learning instead of the hunger pains in their bellies. The ultimate goal of this program is to provide 9,000 pupils (ages 9 and under) in the Njombe, Iringa, Mbeya, and Songwe regions with a packet of free fresh milk every day.

And that’s where you come in: Just $75 can provide one student with milk for an entire school year. That’s 40 cents a day, which is less than you spend to download a song on iTunes, right? Not only will your money help these growing kids, it’s creating a ripple effect of reducing poverty for the farmers and their families who provide the milk. Even a little bit goes a long way in these areas.

Like this woman who I met on my visit. She’s the mother of six, and she told us that the cow she was given by Heifer will change the lives of everyone in her village, not just hers. Heifer adheres to the “pay it forward” credo, and I saw the results of that time and time again.

With everything going on in the world, I know there are a lot of places that can use your money right now. But if you’re able, any little bit you can donate to help these kids is appreciated. Even $10 makes a big difference. And, here’s some exciting news: The Women Online agency will donate $1 (up to $2,000) for every retweet or Facebook share of this post! How awesome is that? You can help these kids with just a few clicks.